Male with neurogenic bladder: what are my options?

i had the same issue, although not really offered the surgery .... I had a Urolift done, then my bladder stopped. Was told it might wake up, but never did. I have been self-cathing for over a year - once you get used to it its not that bad. Trips and Sporting events can be frustrating, but doable. I was told to possibly do a TURP and push out will help; however did not want to take a chance. There are other options, like a stimulator to shock your bladder, but the success rate is not that high. I, too, am hoping for another option down the line..

Hi nicky6969,
Good morning. First I would like to thank you for responding to my text. The doctor seemed to be pushing the self catheterization. Nikki, I’m frightened about it. I just don’t see how I can assert something like that into my penis. Right now I have a regular catheter that I have changed every four weeks after the urologist. When I go, they smear the tip of my penis with something called land cocaine, which is a numbing cream. And then they remove the catheter and insert a new one. It’s one thing for doctors to tell me what to do and how to do the self catheterization, but I’m sure they have never done it to themselves. That’s why I thank you Nikki for talking with me because this is something that you have done and or living through. I would appreciate any thoughts you have about it or tips about doing it that might put me a little bit more at ease. If you feel this is too personal to respond to her then don’t worry I fully understand. Again thank you very much for responding and I appreciate anything you can offer.

Actually, it becomes part of life....once you get past the 1st month, you realize it's not that big of a deal. The hardest part is remembering to take them when traveling or just going out. I get the compact one and keep it in my pocket. It's nothing more than remembering your wallet or keys. I am hoping that there is another option down the road, but for now, it is what it is. It does not hold me back from traveling, going to the gym, or anything else. Good luck.

@nicky6969
nicky6969
Thank you for your conversation today. If I may ask some questions and if you don’t care to answer, that’s fine. From what you said are there different kinds of self catheters and are there different sizes of self catheters? Do you limit the amount of liquid you take in on a daily basis and also do you limit or confine your liquid intake just to water? Right now the only liquid I take is water to hopefully flush everything out. The bag that I’m using will hold 2000 mL of liquid. The other morning when I woke up, it was after 2000 mark. I go to bed at 11 o’clock and I always empty the bag then and I get up at 6 AM so that 2000 L of liquid was expelled within seven hours. I don’t know if that’s good or bad or if maybe I should not drink as much liquid in the evening. Again, thank you for sharing with me and if I ask something that’s inappropriate you don’t need to answer that I am fully understand. Have a nice afternoon.

The size should be given by the doctor, and the different types you can try to see what is best for you......i like coloplast Luja pocket size. I drink a lot of water during the day and try to stop around 7 or 8 at night.

@nicky6969
Thank you again nicky6969.
I have
a question. How many times a day do you self cathetize yourself. That’s one of the things I’m concerned about.
Thank you,
2will2

Fred smith,
Thank you Fred for reading my text and making a comment. I developed my neurogenic bladder in October. I am new to this site . It has made me feel like I’m not alone. I’m grateful for the because I have been scared of what the situation is and what lies ahead of me.

@2will2 good day - i cath between 4 to 6 times a day depending how much I drink and what i drink. Alcohol and coffee tend to make you go more.

Thank you again nicky6969 for taking time for me. Do you feel like an urge or a pressure to utinate or do you just space it out to cath every so many hours? I just turned 80 and this is the first surgery I’ve had so I’m a little apprehensive about everything.

Good luck to you with self catching. Been doing for 8 years. Got it down to a fine science. Relax, make sure the cath is lubed with the water packet, slow, steady and breath. Some cough to help during insertion and/or lean back on your heels. I’ve got extras in each car, coat, golf bag and backpack plus the wife’s purse. Many friends know of my situation and many have no idea. You can do this. Don’t let it affect your life more than it minimally needs to. Best to you. You’ll be great once you get going. So to speak.